House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-06-03 Daily Xml

Contents

Matter of Privilege

Member for Heysen

The Hon. J.R. RAU (Enfield—Deputy Premier, Attorney-General, Minister for Justice Reform, Minister for Planning, Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Minister for Industrial Relations) (11:02): Sir, I rise on a matter of privilege. I believe that a member of this chamber has knowingly and deliberately misled this house and abused the privileges of this house. On 20 May the member for Heysen in her address in reply stated that she considered the Electoral Commissioner to be 'utterly corrupt'.

The member did not substantiate this allegation with any facts. I was concerned that such a grave allegation against a statutory officer should be investigated. On the following day I wrote to the member for Heysen and invited her to provide me with further information in support of her allegation. On 26 May, I received a response from the member for Heysen. This did not contain any further information.

This allegation is of a serious nature and was expressed as a considered opinion during an address to this house; however, no information has been provided to substantiate it and I ask you to rule on a prima facie case of breach of privilege regarding misleading the house. I table a copy of the two letters to which I have referred in my remarks, together with a letter I sent to you, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: I will take the matter on notice, research the point and take advice on it and get back to the house.